Whole30 - Attempt #2

I'm very noncommittal to diets. I really enjoy treating myself with special foods or meals and in general I follow the concept of 80% good for you foods and 20% treats. So cutting out entire groups of foods just seemed crazy to me. Part of the reason I wanted to make a second attempt at completing Whole30 is lately I feel like the sugar cravings have been out of control. I admit it was most likely the holiday cookie spree that got a little out of hand. Plus I had some encouragement from Amy who was completing her own Whole30.
Another motivation was to lose weight. I think it would be silly to not mention this. It is not my main motivation but it is still there. I want to do well with Ironman training and racing and know that weighing less will make it easier to bike up those hills. I am also in 2 weddings this summer and I want to look good. Sure that is a little bit vain but it is the truth.
Today is day 22. I don't want to jinx myself because 8 more days still sounds challenging, but it is going well. Last time, I made it maybe halfway through the 30 days before throwing in the towel. So what's different this time compared to last time? For starters, Matt is on board this time. During my first attempt, Matt continued to eat his normal diet. I was cooking most of our meals so he did eat many Whole30 compliant meals, but still had things like bread. Our kitchen was still filled with "banned" foods and just seeing those items made me want to eat them. This time I've removed almost all of the banned foods and hidden them in the spare bedroom. Out of sight, out of mind! Matt also provides me with external accountability. Earlier this year, I read Gretchin Rubin's Better than Before for bookclub. Although I didn't love the book, it has given me some insightful knowledge on my habit building. I am an Obliger which, in short, means I am accountable to others but am not so accountable to myself. With Matt doing the diet as well, I don't want to let him down and crack.
Another thing that is different is this time I went ALL IN. Last time I made exceptions for things I wanted or going out to eat with friends. It was too easy to make exceptions and I so easily walked away from the whole program. This time there are no exceptions so I am spending less willpower deciding what to eat and what not to eat.
That being said, I am probably not being "perfect" according to Whole30. I am reading all the labels on foods I am buying to watch for added sugar and other banned ingredients but I am still having a splash of almond milk in my coffee. The almond milk doesn't have any banned ingredients but I "should be" making my own. And I don't really get the Whole30 approved bacon--the bacon I've been buying doesn't look like it has added sugars so I decided it was okay. I also haven't entirely given up snacking, if I am hungry I have a handful or nuts or a hardboiled egg and make sure my snack includes protein.
Do I feel any different? I'm not really sure. I do feel like my energy is more even all day and I am not really experiencing an afternoon slump. But I still don't feel this magical "tiger blood" thing yet. I am not craving sugar after dinner like I used to and that feels good.
Here are some of my favorite meals so far.